Garmin International Inc.has introduced the GNX 20 and GNX 21, the newest offerings in the premier Garmin marine instrumentation lineup. Boasting fully customizable displays and low power consumption, the GNX 20 and GNX 21 provide the most pivotal marine information for both sail and power boating.

“The new GNX 20 and 21 not only relay the most crucial maritime data in a user-friendly manner, they do so while running on extremely low amounts of power,” said Dan Bartel, vice president of worldwide sales. “No matter if running during the day or enjoying a nighttime cruise, these new instruments put the information you need at your fingertips while doing so in an efficient manner.”

The GNX 20 and GNX 21 both have 4-inch, glass-bonded, monochrome displays that show over 50 marine and vessel parameters including depth, speed, wind, and navigational data. The GNX 20 overlays black digits on a white background while the GNX 21 puts white digits on a black background, both providing high contrast and high visibility no matter the environment. If a different backlight color is desired, the display can be tailored by choosing from 7 different colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple. Based off of these colors, the user can also create a customized color for optimal viewing.

With fully customizable user profiles, the GNX 20 and GNX 21 allow the screen layout to be configured to the user’s preferred settings by showing single, dual or triple functions or a dedicated Gauge and Graph mode. And for a truly custom look in the helm, the GNX 20 and GNX 21 have the ability to be flush or flat mounted.

Another benefit of both the GNX 20 and GNX 21 is power consumption. Only 350mW is consumed during the day with no backlight, while 400mW is used at night when only a mid-level backlight is required. This allows for more time on the water without running the boat motor or generator for extended periods of time.

Auto-scroll is also integrated into the GNX 20 and GNX 21, which allows the mariner to designate how quickly data pages cycle without user intervention. The layout can be customized to scroll at different time intervals, thus allowing hands-free operation. This also allows the user the ability to utilize one instrument for multiple uses.

The GNX 20 and GNX 21 are scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2014.

A favourite destination for many boaters and tourists alike is the lovely Mackinaw Island. Sitting in Lake Huron on the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac in the state of Michigan, it covers almost ten kilometres, of which 80% is park land. It was a sacred place of the Anishinaabe and home of the Gitche Manitou (Great Spirit) some 700 years prior to the arrival of the first Europeans.

According to legend, the Island was created by the Great Hare, Michabou, and was the first land to appear after the recession of the Great Flood.

I think my favourite program was Bonanza. I would rush home after school, get my homework done, clean up the dishes, and then I would watch the ol’ West come alive with those three handsome, funny brothers who thrived on adventure.

At the time, I thought that the adventuresome West - and the pioneers who could handle just about anything thrown their way - was the stuff of make-believe.

We will probably look back on 2018 and 2019 as the years when power boats were reinvented by the combined forces of a booming U.S. economy and the wide-spread development and introduction of so many amazing new outboard engines. The result has been the development of many remarkable new designs!

One of the most inventive designers and builders is Jeanneau, and the NC 1095 is their new flagship outboard cruiser by Centkowski & Denert Design.

Lagoon has been building catamarans for too long to make a false move. That’s why when the management felt that their tried-and-true 450 model, long a cruising favourite and winner of transatlantic events such as the ARC, was getting near retirement age, they went back to a team that has designed many successful models for them: Nauta Design for interiors and VPLP design with Patrick le Quément for naval architecture and exteriors.

We spoke with Nauta Design’s Massimo Gino about his work with Lagoon.

“Along with the many custom superyacht projects we do, we have been collaborating with Lagoon since 2009.

Grounding is always an interesting idea when on a boat. Can a boat be ‘grounded’ when it’s in the water?

Electrical ground is a term used to describe the reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltage is measured, a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the earth.

Connection to ground is also important in order to trigger protective mechanisms in the event of failure of internal insulation, and also limits the build-up of static electricity.

Watch for a tsunami of innovative new boating products in the chandlery this year, as accessory manufacturers battle for your attention and dollars.

This past decade has been a real up-and-down ride for the companies who make boating equipment. When the recession hit in 2008/2009, new product development for most manufacturers ground to a sharp halt as they focused on more pressing issues, like simply keeping the lights on. It took a few years for the economy to stabilize and for the first handful of new items to begin slowly trickling out to market. For guys like me who make a living writing about new boating gear, those were pretty lean years, let me tell you.

You most likely operate your vessel with batteries that are rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries account for nearly half of worldwide battery sales. Within the rechargeable battery category, there are many different types of chemistries that are used. The most proven type of chemistry is the lead acid chemistry.

Wet cell or “flooded” batteries and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are both considered lead batteries and contain an electrolyte solution which causes a chemical reaction and produces electrons. These batteries are recharged when put in contact with a reverse current. But, given the way they are designed, they each have their own pros and cons and these variations should be considered before use.

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